Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-24
Sentenced Served Ont.

George Macdonpel, the noted Bank OF
England forger, has served out bis sentence
in an English prison. he vas sentenced
for life, and two weeks ago he died.
Macdonnell was one of the boldest and
cleverest rascals that ever lived. He was
born in Canada in lS4S, and his parents
being wealthy residents of Montreal, he
was given an excellent education and grad
uated as Doctor of Medicine. He never
practiced medicine, ont took naturally to
swndlug as an easier method Of getting
money. Ia 1868 he went to Cincinnati and
found c0ngensl associates in the three Bid
well brothers, sons OF rich Michigan farm.
er, who were likewise inclined crimewise.
Austin Bidwel engaged in the commits
mission business in Cincinnati and ran
away with $4,000 belonging to creditors.
He was captured, but not until after ne had
been shot He aud his brother subsequent
IL took place in Chicago and bought goods
on credit, which they shipped TO Macdon-
neil in Canada, 70 be sold.
More than 100000 were cleared before
the swindling was checked. Austin Bidwell
was lodged in Quincy jail and escaped from
there in Disguise after picking the lock OF
his cell.
In 1867 the gang went TO New York,
opened an Office in Broad street, got checks
for small amounts from well.known firms,
forged larger checks, and obtained consider
able money before the scheme was detected.
Then Macconneil got himself up like
travelling Englishman, called himself Hen
ry w. Livingstone. and with Austin Bidwell
ia the role of valet, engaged suite of rooms
from Dr.. Barnum at 255 Fifth avenue for
500 a week. Macdonnell was driven to
Titfany's by another of the Bidwells i'll live
re-, represented himself as DR.. Barnums son,
and bought diamonds worth $500, paying
for them with worthless check. Macdon-
nell Immediately disappeared, but was
caught by I New York detective in Port
land. Ne, and taken TO New York in Feb
ruary 1865. Recorder Hackett sentenced
him to three years imprisonment in Sing
Sing.
His next exploit was the robbery of
drover or The cars, near Louisville Mac
donneii dFugged the drover, took $500
from his pocket, and at the uext station
mailed the Doodle 10 New York while the
man was asleep. When the droyer awoke
he discovered his loss, and said tc Mscdon-
neil ~ had $1,000 when you took a seat
beside me now | haven't a cent" The
latter demanded TO be searched, and was
searched but Of course, nothing was found
on him. MacdoGueil went o New York,
got the package fron the postollica, and
lived there in style while the money lasted.
Then he .wind!ed Judge Hilton's partner,
Douglass Campbell, out of the rant OF house
in Brooklyn.
He was arrested number of times for
passing worthless checks, but always escap-
ed. On one Occasion he was Congressman
Samuel S. Cox. and bought some liquids
from 3 Beaver street firm, paying with
500 note. He asked for a check for $37 in
change. and, after getting it and going
away, he altered it 10 $500 He came
near getting $130000 in Government bonds
out of Jey Cooke 81 Co. Duden Freres &
Co. suffered the loss of 81, 200 worth of laces
through his forgeries.
In 1872 he began tour of the world as a
rich American, and was presented at several
courts Us distinguished person. Having
established bogus reputation in London,
he concocted with the Bidwells aud Noyes
Hill son CT Baptist clergyman OF Spring
field, Mass, plan to rob the Bank of Eng
land Of q large sum.
An account was opened with the bank,
and in short time the consprators had
forced and got cashed bills Of acceptance TO
tho amount OF half million dollars. They
fled in March, 1873, and the Bank Of Eng
lard pursued them relentlessly to various
parts OF the world, spending $4,000 in
their capture and conviction. Austin Bid.
we'll was trapped at Havana and returned
to England on man-of.war.
Macdonnel was intercepted Oh his ar
rival in New York as was $3.50 900 in Gov
ernment bonds, his share of the forgeries,
which he had shipped in trunk by express.
4 plot was formed to rescue him, and the
last night of his stay il New York he was
left in Castle William in the bay. The next
day he was put on board Of an outgoing
steam ship, in charge of British officers. He
and his companions were sentenced to life
imprisonment in August. 1878.
HIS DAUGHTERS GHosT.-With the tragic